Jails & Prisons Home to Mentally Ill, Provide Little Help

For years, advocates and legal experts have questioned the ways in which
our criminal justice system handles and addresses the needs of the mentally
ill. Although various mental health alternatives and programs do exist,
the unfortunate reality is that
the supply of much-needed services for mentally ill individuals fails to
meet the demand. An article from NPR – which can be
viewed here – recently profiled how criminal justice policies have failed to
help those with mental health issues.

According to the article, states across the country have cut billions from
mental health budgets in recent years, closing down numerous facilities
and clinics and cutting various services. As a result, thousands of mentally
ill Americans have been ushered through the revolving doors of our criminal
justice system and correctional facilities. The cycle is repetitive and
does little good for these individuals by sending them back to jails or
prisons that are not equipped to help them or provide the treatment they
need. These problems are only made worse by severe overcrowding in jail
and prison populations. The stories that one Cook County sheriff reveals
in the article are both alarming and moving – and they serve as
clear evidence that policy changes are well overdue.

The Hammer Law Firm: Passionate Advocates

At The Hammer Law Firm, LLC, our St. Louis criminal attorneys have seen
these situations in person. Attorneys Mark Hammer and Nicole Chiravollatti
have worked with many clients who were battling depression, anxiety, bi-polar
disorder, and other more serious illnesses. In many cases, their criminal
conduct – such as drug use, theft, and assaults – were motivated
by their mental state. There is a high likelihood that barring the mental
disorder or with the appropriate treatment, these individuals would not
have engaged in criminal conduct. Unfortunately, unlike "DWI"
and "Drug" courts that are popping up in Missouri, there are
no "Mental Health" courts.

According to Attorney Chiravollatti, "individuals with serious mental
health issues, that have either gone off their medication or never been
properly diagnosed and treated, are being thrown into jail or put on probation,
without the proper administration of their required medications."
It should come as no surprise, then, that these individuals are committing
more crimes once they are left on their own and that they face additional
challenges from both mental illness and a criminal record. These individuals
(and especially the family members who are responsible for caring for
them) are left with few resources in the criminal justice system.

"The criminal justice system has essentially replaced the mental health
systems that used to be available to mental health patients in this country,"
says Chiravollatti. "But instead of treating and rehabilitating these
individuals, we are locking them in a cell and labeling them criminals."

Attorneys Hammer and Chiravollatti are sensitive to clients' mental
health issues and believe that they are mitigating factors when negotiating
cases on their behalves. Our legal team works with our clients' families
and loved ones to identify established and potential mental health issues
that may have been the cause of the criminal conduct. We frequently make
recommendations regarding counseling and classes if they are also struggling
with undiagnosed mental health issues. Just as they do for each of our
firm's clients, Attorneys Hammer and Chiravollatti truly go above
and beyond the call of a legal representative by acting as passionate
advocates.

If you or your loved one has been arrested for a crime in St. Louis or
the surrounding communities of Missouri and are struggling with mental illness,
contact us to discuss your case.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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